Barcelona –22 October 2014 – Today, Cisco® Networking Academy announced the first global ‘Internet of Everything' (IoE) curriculum, which will help meet the soaring demand for ICT skills and empower the next generation of innovators to embrace the IoE's full possibilities.

It is predicted that there will be 50 billion connected devices by 2020 creating incredible amounts of data and innovation possibilities that will revolutionize the job landscape.  Cisco estimates that the IoE could unleash up to US$19 trillion of economic value to private and public sector industries worldwide by 2022.  The new Cisco® Networking Academy IoE curriculum is an important part of its efforts to close the broadening ICT skills gap and accelerate global IoE innovation.

Launched today as part of the Cisco Networking Academy Partner Summit in Barcelona, the "Introduction to the Internet of Everything" is the first of a series of IoE courses.  This entry-level course is aimed at anyone who wants to grasp the opportunities which the inter connection of people, processes, data and things will bring, and does not require any in-depth IT knowledge as a prerequisite.  It is available globally as a free as a self-learning course for every Cisco Networking Academy student.  Academies can also create instructor-led classes to teach the curriculum.

"This connected network presents a huge opportunity for the technology industry and could transform how we do business, consume goods and go about our daily lives. However, realising this potential depends on individuals having the skills and knowledge to harness the opportunities provided by IoE.  Our new IoE curriculum offers a fantastic springboard for anyone wanting to seize this opportunity," Laura Quintana, Senior Director, Corporate Affairs explains.

John Baekelmans, chief technology officer of the Internet of Everything Solutions Group adds, "It seems fitting to announce this course in the city of Barcelona, which has thoroughly embraced the Internet of everything, creating 47,000 jobs related to the "smart" city. We hope the initiative will be part of a global movement to give the next generation the skills to meet soaring demand for networking job roles, and become part of a phenomenon, which will change the world".

The Introduction to the IoE course is available globally through all academies in the Cisco Networking Academy program.  Currently offered in English, the course will be available in five further languages (Chinese, French, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish) and rolled out progressively from Spring 2015 onwards. 

Commenting on the new curriculum, John Higgins, General Director, DIGITALEUROPE, adds, "It is encouraging to see training of this kind being offered. By giving the basic platform for an understanding of a more connected world, the industry can inspire more experimentation and entrepreneurship in the tech space, which could lead to further job creation. We're looking forward to seeing the impact that it makes both on individuals' lives and on the industry."

Notes to Editor:

For more information about the course visit: http://www.netacad.eu/5380/internet-of-everything.html

What is Cisco Networking Academy?

• Cisco Networking Academy is a non-commercial ICT training programme that equips people with the skills to succeed in today and tomorrows increasingly connected world.
• Every year, one million Networking Academy students worldwide gain the skills needed to build, design, and maintain computer networks; improving their career prospects while filling the global demand for networking professionals.

For more information on the IoE curriculum or Cisco Networking Academy please visit: www.netacad.com

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